Other Foods To Feed Clown Loaches
- Tuna – (From a tin)
- Mussels – (Clown Loaches will suck them out of the shell)
- Crab Meat – (Tinned)
- Prawns
- Scallops
- Clams
- Beef Heart
What do clown loach eat?
The clown loach can be found in freshwater bodies around Sumatra and Borneo where it can be found mainly inland. Here, the fish will feast on a huge variety of foods which may include snails and crustaceans.
Should you keep clown loaches in your aquarium?
Juveniles under 6 inches long are still often harvested in the wild. Today, the Clown Loach is still a popular fish for freshwater aquariums and has earned a following among monsterfish keepers in particular. Should You Keep The Clown Loach? (Summary) It can be great fun to keep a few Clown Loaches in your aquarium.
What time of day do clown loaches come out?
Unlike most loach species that come alive at night, the clown loach is active during the day, although it seems to prefer the early morning. You can use bluish lighting to encourage the fish to come out and look for food.
What do loaches eat in a fish tank?
These Loaches also love homemade fish foods and cooked vegetables, including cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, and peas. You can also give them fruits, such as bananas and berries. Any food that you give them must be able to reach the bottom of the tank without being gobbled up by your other fish.
How often do I feed my clown loach?
These only need to be feed approximately once a week, and vegetables can be substituted with herbivore flakes or spirulina pellets. Clown loaches, like most other species of loaches, will also eat any available snails in their aquarium.
What do you feed loach fish?
They prefer sinking foods such as community pellets, Repashy gel food, frozen bloodworms, and live blackworms. If the other fish in your aquarium are eating all the food before the kuhli loaches get to them, try feeding them at night when the lights are out, and they're sure to get nice and plump.
How many clown loaches should you keep together?
Peaceful with its own and other species, the clown loach prefers to have companions with which it will form a school. Virtually all non-aggressive fish are suitable as tankmates. Because they prefer to live in groups, it's wise to keep four or more in a tank.
How large do clown loaches get?
The average Clown Loach size when fully grown is around 12 inches. It's said that they can get a bit longer in the wild, but most fish will max out at this length when kept in captivity. When you see these fish in pet stores they're usually no more than two or three inches long.
What do clown loach fish eat?
Most clown loaches accept commercial flake food and sinking pellets as their dietary staple, but thrive with a variety of food: live (worms, brine shrimp, small snails), banana, other plant matter, freeze-dried (tubifex worms, especially if it is fortified) and frozen brine shrimp.
Do loaches prefer sand or gravel?
It can be rocks and pebbles, mud and peat, or sand. Kuhli loaches prefer areas with softer substrates that won't damage their underbellies or barbels.
How do I keep my Clown Loach happy?
0:436:37Clown Loach Care Guide - Aquarium Co-Op - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey're being kept to cool. So keep them hot hot hot keeps your metabolism up keeps them. You knowMoreThey're being kept to cool. So keep them hot hot hot keeps your metabolism up keeps them. You know full of life and temperatures. That hot typically is resistant to ink it's a win win win on that.
How long does it take a Clown Loach to reach full size?
On average, the Clown Loach measures 3mm in length at birth, reaching 1 inch in its first 6 weeks. In the wild, a full-grown Clown Loach can reach 16 inches or more, with reports of 12 inches or more in captivity. You can expect an average Clown Loach to reach 6-10 inches in an aquarium.
Is 2 clown loaches enough?
Clown loaches need more loach buddies than just one, 5 or 6 at a minimum. From your profile I see that these are going in a 55G tank which is not even half as big as the tank they require. You should be aware that CL get upwards of 12" long and can approach 16".
Do clown loaches eat algae wafers?
In the wild, this omnivorous species feeds on invertebrates like worms, crustaceans, and small water-dwelling snails. In addition, they also feed on decaying plant matter and algae.
How long can clown loaches go without food?
You can set the light timer to 6 or 8 hours, instead of 12, for example. Shorter daytime will diminish their activity and their need for a meal....Overview chart for individual fasting tolerances of popular freshwater fish.Type of fish:Period it can safely live with no food:Loachesup to 10 days18 more rows•Apr 13, 2020
Do clown loaches clean tanks?
Clown Loaches will be everywhere in your tank scavenging for food. They'll sift the substrate, sneak behind little decorations, and generally do a great job picking up the messes. These are not very easy to keep and the biggest fish on the list.
How often do you feed loaches?
For best results, rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume in under 2 minutes, once or twice a day.
How much should I feed my kuhli loaches?
Feed kuhli loaches a combination of fish flakes, live or frozen bloodworms and blackworms, and sinking pellets. Feed them twice per day, preferably when the tank is dark and other fish are asleep. Provide enough food for the loaches to eat continuously for three minutes.
Do loaches eat fish poop?
0:174:21What Aquarium Fish Eat Poop? The Answer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipActually there are no aquarium fish that we can add to our aquarium. That will eat the poop franklyMoreActually there are no aquarium fish that we can add to our aquarium. That will eat the poop frankly they will likely produce more poop and we've also got to feed them ourselves.
Do loaches eat algae wafers?
Yes, kuhli loaches can eat algae wafers. Kuhli loaches are not picky eaters and will gladly eat anything that's available, including algae wafers. Just make sure the algae wafers can sink because these bottom-dwellers refuse to swim up to feed.
Do Clown Loaches eat algae?
Yes, Clown loaches do eat algae although it is not their first choice of snack by a long way. Clown loaches will much prefer to hunt for snails, wo...
Do Clown loaches eat shrimp?
Clown loaches will eat shrimp if given the opportunity. Not only will Clown loach eat shrimp, but they also enjoy hunting them in the tank. If you...
Do Clown loaches eat other fish?
Clown loaches do enjoy a protein-rich diet and will eat small fish fry if the opportunity were to present itself. In general, Clown loaches are goo...
Will Clown Loaches Eat Other Fish
Usually, Clown Loaches will not eat their smaller tank mates as they are very peaceful fish, but they will eat small fish fry (babies) given the opportunity and small shrimps.
What To Feed Clown Loach
Because Clown loaches are not too fussy in what they eat, there is quite a variety to choose from when deciding on what to feed Clown loaches.
What Vegetables Do Clown Loach Eat
Clown Loaches are mainly bottom feeders, so any food you give them will need to sink to the lower part of the aquarium.
Salads For Clown Loach
As well as vegetables, Clown Loaches enjoy eating green and leafy salads. Some of their favorites are:
What Fruit Does A Clown Loach Eat
Fruit is another staple in a Clown Loaches Diet. The natural habitat of Clown Loaches is rivers, streams, and lakes. Fruits will often find their way into them when they fall from trees and vines that overhang these watercourses.
What Live Food Do Clown Loach Eat
Live foods will be a good source of protein for your Clown Loach which will help to provide them with energy and assist in normal growth.
What Dry And Frozen Food To Feed Clown Loaches
The easiest way to give your Clown Loach the variety they need in their diet is to buy dry or frozen food from your local aquarium or even online.
How much water does a clown loach need?
Now, as adults, the minimum tank size goes up significantly. For a small group of adult Clown Loaches, you’re going to need a tank that can hold 150 gallons of water or more. As a good rule of thumb, adults need about 30 gallons of space each.
What is clown loach?
The Clown Loach (scientific name: Chromobotia macracantha) is a peaceful freshwater fish with a quirky appearance. Appropriately named for their vibrant colors, these fish make beautiful additions to community tanks. They are widely distributed and have been a staple in the fish-keeping community for several decades.
How big do clown loach fish get?
Average Clown Loach Size. The average Clown Loach size when fully grown is around 12 inches. It’s said that they can get a bit longer in the wild, but most fish will max out at this length when kept in captivity. When you see these fish in pet stores they’re usually no more than two or three inches long.
What color are clown loach fins?
The front stripe covers the eye like a mask while the back stripe extends into the dorsal fin. Most of the fins are bright red in color. Though, some fish coming from Borneo tend to have black pigmentation on the pectoral fins. The Clown Loach is sexually dimorphic.
Is clown loach a good fish?
However, thanks to their penchant for spawning in large numbers, wild-caught fish are also sold all over the world. Hardy and easy to care for, Clown Loaches are an excellent choice for aquarists of any skill level.
Can clown loaches live in a community tank?
However, they are especially at risk for Ich. This species is usually the first to show symptoms in a community tank, so you’ll need to keep an eye out and provide care as soon as you can.
Do clown loaches have a long lifespan?
Despite their long lifespan. Clown Loaches are not immune to health problems. Poor living conditions and a lack of good care can cut their lives short. Never a long potential lifespan as an excuse to cut corners with their care.
What do clown loaches need in their tank?
Once an aquarium has been chosen, the next step is choosing a filter. Clown loaches prefer to have a significant amount of current in their tank, and this can be provided with either a power head, or a large HOB (hang-on back) filter.
How to get a clown loach to mature?
The larger the fish, the better your chances of successfully breeding them. You can sex clown loaches by looking at their tail fins.
What kind of filter should I use for clown loach?
I would strongly recommend choosing an Aquaclear Power Filter for a clown loach tank.
How big of a tank do loaches need?
The bare minimum that should be provided for a school of loaches is a 55 gallon (200 litre) aquarium, and this will only be acceptable while most of them are still juveniles. As they begin to reach their adult sizes, their tank should be upgraded to a 75 gallon (280 litre) tank – or ideally a 120 gallon (450 litre) tank.
How to tell if a clown loach is a male or female?
You can sex clown loaches by looking at their tail fins. The males tailfin is bent slightly inwards while the females looks more like a traditional tailfin. The females will also be quite a bit plumper than the males, but this can be difficult to identify without a fair bit of experience.
How long do clown loaches live?
If you plan on purchasing a clown loach, you should be aware that they can grow extremely large, and that they live for 15 years on average – though some people claim to have kept individuals for decades.
How long does it take for clown loach to grow?
They can be fed baby brine shrimp, or any of the other commercially available fry foods. After about two weeks, they will be large enough to accept powdered flake food and will begin to grow very quickly. Filed Under: Tropical Fish Tagged With: breeding, care, clown loach, feeding. Reader Interactions.
What fish can you keep with clown loaches?
You can keep clown loaches with other bottom-dwelling fish like the Bristlenose pleco and the Kuhli loaches. If you want to keep the loaches with cichlids, look for peaceful ones like the Angelfish and Bolivian Ram. Other ideal tank mates are tiger barb, zebra danio, and swordtails.
What plants do clown loaches like?
Some hardy plants to consider include Anubias, Java Moss, Hornwort, Java Fern and Hygrophila.
How many gallons of water do clown loaches need?
Their growth rate is, however, slow, and you can start juveniles in a 55-gallon tank. You will need 120 gallons to accommodate their adult sizes. The tank should be complemented by a tight-fitting cover because clown loaches are curious and skilled jumpers.
Why do clown loaches eat snails?
Wild populations love eating snails, but the fish will not control snail outbreaks in a tank. Snail outbreaks are also brought about by excessive waste, and clown loaches need pristine water conditions to thrive.
How big do clown loaches grow?
The fins and tails have a red color. Wild clown loaches can reach a foot in length, but they will typically grow to around 12 inches in the aquarium. Its peaceful nature makes it an ideal candidate for a community tank.
Why is clown loach good for a community tank?
You can enjoy watching the fish on the day when it is most active. You should be careful when handling a clown loach because they have a spine under each eye. Your fingers can easily get pricked by this spine, which is meant for defense.
What is the best lighting for clown loach?
You can use bluish lighting to encourage the fish to come out and look for food. The fish will be most active during the night.
Clown Loaches Size Chart & Growth Rate
The table below will give an average of a Clown Loaches growth rate and expected size throughout its life cycle.
How Fast Does A Clown Loach Grow To Full Size
Once a Clown Loach reaches around 6-8 inches in length, growth will generally slow to around 1/2 to 2 inches per year. Whether a Clown Loach reaches full size within the first 5-10 years of its life will depend on many factors such as living conditions, general health, and feeding.
Clown Loach Lifespan
The average Clown Loach age when in captivity is around 10 years, and with good care and a healthy environment, this can increase, with reports of them living as long as 20 years or more in the wild.
What Factors Play A Part In a Clown Loaches Growth
The simplest way to guide you in which factors will play the biggest part in a Clown Loaches growth would be to emphasize the importance of making their environment as close to natural as experienced when living in the wild.
What To Consider Before Buying A Clown Loach
As a common loach species, the Clown Loach is readily available at most fish stores. Because of their easy availability, they are a popular fish. Many new aquarists believe they are easy to look after because fish stores often don’t point out that they have certain needs and will grow well beyond what may be expected.
How Many CLown Loaches Should I Get
As already mentioned, a Clown Loach likes to live in groups or schools of 10-15, so I would recommend putting a minimum of 3 Clown Loaches together when buying. It is kinder, and you will experience the most natural behavior from them.
At What Size Should You Buy A Clown Loach
It is pretty safe to buy a Clown Loach when it has reached around 5cm in length, any smaller than this, and it is still very young and more susceptible to illnesses and parasites or a general change in conditions.
Species Summary
Average Clown Loach Size
Lifespan
- The typical Clown Loach lifespan in captivity is at least 10 years. There are a lot of factors that can affect the life expectancy of this fish. In pristine natural conditions, this species can reportedly live up to 25 years! However, this is quite rare in captivity. Despite their long lifespan. Clown Loaches are not immune to health problems. Poor living conditions and a lack of good ca…
Appearance
- There’s no denying that Clown Loaches have an interesting look. Everything from their shape to their color is unique! The body of the Clown Loach is noticeably arched. The dorsal line is curved while the bottom of the fish is flat. That upper dorsal line curves from the base of the tail to their underturned mouth! The mouth of this freshwater fish is similar to catfish and other loaches. Se…
Care
- There’s a reason why this species is seen so often in the fishkeeping community! Clown Loach care is very easy since these fish can adapt to most aquarium conditions well. Unlike other species, they’re not super fussy. This species can handle slight fluctuations in their habitat without major problems. That said, providing an optimal level of care is always important. The g…
Food & Diet
- When it comes to picking food for your Clown Loach, these fish are pretty easy to please. They are omnivores that readily accept most commercial food products without any issue. One of the best ways to go is by providing sinking pellets and algae wafers as their main diet staple. Chances are, you’ll see them foraging for any leftover flakes that ot...
Behavior & Temperament
- Clown Loaches are peaceful and easy-going. They usually stick to the middle and lower parts of the aquarium. However, these fish can cohabitate with most peaceful species (even ones that dwell in the same areas of the tank). These fish are most active when the lighting conditions are low. You can usually see the fish swimming around the tank in the early morning or after the su…
Tank Mates
- The best Clown Loach tank mates are going to be others of the same species. We recommend keeping at least five fish together. A neat thing about this fish is that you don’t have to worry about achieving a specific male-to-female ratio. Territorial behavior isn’t an issue with this species! When it comes to keeping them with other species, you have a lot of options. Any non-a…
Breeding
- Unfortunately, Clown Loach breeding is very difficult in captivity. A vast majority of the fish in the pet trade are wild-caught. Some aquarists may get lucky and initiate spawning in the right conditions, but the eggs are rarely fertilized. Even if they do get fertilized, the males and females will usually eat the eggs before they hatch! The reason it’s so difficult to breed Clown Loaches i…
Now You’Re Prepared
- As you can see, there’s a reason why these fish are so popular. We’ve been a huge fan of them for years, and recommend them to other aquarists constantly! Clown Loach care is not challenging and can be handled by just about anyone. When you combine this with their natural beauty, you get a species that deserves every bit of attention it gets. If there’s anything you think we should …